All periods of time have their curiosities, positives, and negatives. The art of glass continually unfolds while seemingly taking on a life of its own.

The business world has, for hundreds of years, been a global institution. The difference today is that we have instant views of faraway places and events, with no need to rely on foot, horse, ship, train, or plane. For the most part, we click, double click, and drag, and — voila: we are “there;” we are learning; we get instruction; we are entertained. And we blog. A myriad of opinions are literally at our finger tips. Technology is here to stay.

The materials we work with are basically the same as in the time of Marco Polo. However, technology will afford different ways of using these time-honored materials or, in some cases, not to use the materials at all.

This is where the SGAA finds itself. Individual artists as well as studio teams meld their work to accommodate changing tastes, emerging technology, and instant communication. The SGAA needs to be proactive, serve members, and augment these changes through conferences, workshops, and publications. Our Board of Directors is dedicated, and, with today’s communication, they hear from the members on a daily basis and truly act in the best interests of the whole.

Where the world of art glass will go will be an interesting evolution — a combination of technology and new design. The SGAA will be there to oversee the positives and negatives and, with the support of members, will move onward.